Leadership

I deeply believe in the power of early support, mentorship, education, and empowerment in shaping the lives of girls and young women. Girls Inc.’s mission to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold aligns closely with both my personal values and my professional life’s work. With over 25 years of experience supporting children, youth, families, and communities through trauma-informed care, mental health education, crisis intervention, and family systems work, I am passionate about contributing to spaces where girls feel seen, heard, valued, and capable. I believe every girl deserves access to safe, supportive environments where she can build confidence, strengthen her voice, develop resilience, and recognize her own worth. Serving as a Director allows me to contribute my experience in leadership, governance, advocacy, program development, and community wellness while supporting an organization that is creating meaningful, lasting impact. I am honoured to be part of work that helps girls and young women grow into confident, empowered leaders within our community and beyond.

I joined Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta because I wanted to dedicate my time to a cause that truly matters, and invest in something deeply important to me: the next generation. As a woman, with kids and step-kid of my own, I know firsthand how vital a positive role model can be. I want to share my own strengths and life experiences to help create spaces where young girls can grow, thrive, and discover their confidence. I am so proud to give back by supporting the incredible programming and mission of Girls Inc.

I understand firsthand the impact of a nurturing and empowering environment on young lives. Fueled through my own experiences growing up with a mother grappling with addiction, this experience has helped ignite my passion for supporting and empowering young girls facing similar challenges. I am committed to leveraging my professional acumen to create positive change and opportunities for girls in need. I believe in the transformative power of education, mentorship, and community support to break cycles of adversity and pave the way for a brighter future.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and this wonderful community means so much to me and have given me and my family ample opportunities. My passion has always been in empowering young generations to unlock and unleash their full potential. I am a firm believer of Diversity and Inclusion and believe in equal opportunities. Girls Inc. is one of the few organizations in Northern Alberta and in this region which provides mentorship, awareness, and support to young girls to be strong, smart and bold. It inspires young girls to be self-confident and I am proud to be part of Girls Inc.

Growing up, I learned that confidence can change the course of a person's life. When someone believes in your potential, encourages you to speak up, and reminds you that your voice matters, it can open doors you never imagined possible. That is why I chose to serve on the Board. I am passionate about creating opportunities for girls and young women to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and realize their full potential. I believe that when we empower girls to be bold, strong, and smart, we are investing not only in their future but in the future of our entire community. As an experienced leader, I am excited to contribute my strategic, financial, and governance expertise to help strengthen the organization's impact and long-term sustainability. I am honoured to be part of a team that is helping the next generation of girls discover their strength, pursue their ambitions, and become the leaders they were meant to be.

Growing up as a refugee in Canada, I quickly learned the value of hard work and dedication and these values helped me throughout my career, in school, and work. My mom used to always tell me never to give up and she instilled the same values in my twin sister. Girls Inc. provides opportunities of growth for those that may not have that system elsewhere, and this is what drove me towards participating on the board such that I can contribute towards helping create opportunities for the future generation.

I joined Girls Inc. to support the important work they do offering programming for local girls in the Wood Buffalo region and to drive decision making and advocacy for safe, supportive environments that foster empowerment, self-esteem, and resilience. Having been in formalized leadership positions with the public school division, I have seen the great work that Girls Inc. does and the profound impact they have on self-identified females.

There are many self-fulfilling reasons for serving on a board, but the main reason I choose to support Girls Inc is their great mission to inspire and empower girls. I have always wanted an opportunity to give back and help shape the future of girls in the region and make a meaningful impact to this wonderful community. Getting to network and build relationships with people who share similar interests is a plus!

Having been part of the Wood Buffalo region for nearly two decades, I have had the privilege of witnessing the meaningful and lasting impact Girls Inc. has made on young girls in our community. Its programs empower girls to be strong in their confidence, smart in their aspirations, and bold in their decision making and leadership. I am deeply inspired by this mission and am honoured to contribute to its continued success, bringing my professional experience along with a strong commitment to community impact in support of these values.

Guided by a rich lineage of strong, inspiring women, I have always poured my energy into the cycle of teaching and learning. My heritage taught me to meet life with enthusiasm and grit, a lesson that shaped my path long before I stepped into my own roles as a mother and an educator. Today, wearing both of those hats, my perspective has expanded. Looking closely at the rapidly changing world the next generation is inheriting, I see both incredible potential and unprecedented challenges. It has fueled a deep, personal commitment in me to ensure our girls don't just navigate this world, but actively shape it. Through Girls Inc., I am privileged to pour that passion back into our community as a Director. It provides the perfect platform to influence the next generation, cultivating the leadership, unwavering confidence, and pride young girls need to stand tall and meet today's challenges head-on.